LB, I hope I am not irritating you (or BG) with my comments here. I was introduced to TGM on ISG and found your site because of it. I got a hell of a lot out of your video lessons with Collin Neeman and said as much on ISG.

My comments are those akin to an innocent child. BG can safely be considered as one of the best golfers in the world, why therefore would he not automatically plan his year around the 4 biggest tournaments in the world?

If each person reading this considered what their own 'majors' were each year - for some it could be Captain's Day at the local club, others it could be the scratch cup or for others major amateur or indeed professional events. Personally for me, it is the North of Ireland Amateur Championship played at Royal Portrush GC in Northern Ireland.

Now, come hell or high water, no matter how well or poorly I am hitting it, I am going try my best to ensure I am there teeing it up on the first morning.

Can anyone get that I am not trying to be rude or controversial, I am just amazed that BG wouldn't want to be in the field trying.

If you compare the other leading golfers in the world, yes, they pick and choose where they play each season, but they build their schedule around the majors - bloody hell, Tiger builds his surgery around the majors lol!

Hopefully the people getting annoyed at me will realise I'm not here trolling or trying to start an argument, just amazed and curious at BG's decision.

2c
 

I ain't one of dem people...for the record! :laughing9

not me either
 

oh no its not about annoying or irritating

you say how you feel and i (we) do the same


we are here together....learning from each other


hj

Man, this is an interesting debate. I can see both sides of this argument, and I guess for each individual it's just a matter of priorities.

If you're priority is to go down as one of the greatest golfers ever, you play in the majors. Bottom line it's how greatness in golf is measured.

If you're priority is God, or family, then you as a man don't give a d#$% what the rest of the world thinks and you do what is most important to you as an individual.

I can respect both decisions.


Interestingly enough, I heard Lee Trevino say the other day that he lost two families because of his devotion to golf. Wonder if he'd give back a few majors to have a better relationship with his family??

family
 

let me say this

jack nicklaus made the statement that when he was playing he didnt spend a lot of time with his family.......and when he retired his

priority would be his family??? is it?? i have no idea



a man in golf is measured by his majors..........i will agree with that

BUT.......the measure of a man is his family......

ok final thought......and if brian gay reads this......i want him to know

it is said with the utmost respect..........


if brian tries to qualify and does........and if he wins the us open

his name will be along side many champions.......might even get him close to ryder cup

but.......if he plays memphis........and takes a week off.......he hears the sounds of his little ones saying

daddy daddy your home.........

jack nicklaus said he regretted not spending more time with his family.......

brian?? smart man.........

hjack

I'm a little late in reading this thread, so here goes. One of the reasons Nicklaus did not spend as much time with his family was economics; players back then did not compete for anywhere the $$ that they do today. They had to play more tournaments to make a living. Todays players don't play near as much; I would think 25 tournaments played would be a lot; which means they have half the year where they are not on the road playing. I agree that its important to pace yourself in a year to optimize playing perfoemance, but players are judged on there history in majors pure and simple. Not trying to compete in them indicates you've made a judgement that your playing time is better spent on other events ie. you don't think you'll be competitive. Not a knock, possibly smart as you've realistically eveluated your options and decided whats for you.

Allan

Jack Of All Trades
 

Actually, I think we may be a bit offbase here.

As tball88 stated above, Lee Trevino was the guy who sacrificed everything for golf. He was driven to escape the poverty and prejudice of his youth:

"I put golf before my family. I put it before my friends. I put it before my religion."

Jack Nicklaus sacrificed none of these. Instead, he rarely played more than twenty tournaments a year and made a great deal of time for his family. He was there for his wife and children -- he literally fainted dead away after the birth of each child -- throughout the important events of their lives, sometimes even jetting home during tournaments.

In fact, his commitment to 'family time' inspired Chi Chi Rodriquez's great line:

"Jack Nicklaus became a legend in his spare time."

:salut:

Big Jack is the Macdaddy!
 

That was my understanding with regards to Nicklaus. The master of hyberbole Gary Player may not have exaggerated when he made the comment that Jack Nicklaus was the consumate family man. Note post # 15 for Okie! I have NO respect whatsover for a person that sacrifices their family. Isaac Newton made the decision not to marry so that he could dedicate his life to natural philosophy...I can definately support opting out of a family but never their neglect. I man without perspective is a dangerous man! Have a great weekend LBG loyalists!

2 jacks
 

then from reading the last couple of posts.....

i am now convinced there are 2......jack nicklauss' both winning 18 majors

or 20 if you care to count amateurs......

i will not try to prove my point ,but i can honestly say.....i am right..


ok.....lets do this......someone tell me the real reason nickalus said to jacklin in the 1969 ryder cup PICK IT UP

please enlighten me........................

Should have vetted the numbers a bit better. In the 60's Nicklaus averaged over 20 tournaments a year, in the 70's he played 20 only once and in the 80's averaged only about 15 per year. Think Tiger only plays about 15-18 per year, which I think (?) is probably par for top players. Not sure about players a rung below, but even if they play 20-25, there should be ample time for family obligations if they schedule it right. I know myself , in season, I work 6 sometimes 7 days a week averaging 10 hours a day. In a seasonal business its the only way, bills and all that other stuff.

Allan